Rogue Ales & Spirits Introduces Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda & Bayfront Vodka Party Pack

Posted on by mashingin

Rogue Ales & Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced the recent launch of Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda and the upcoming release of the Bayfront Vodka Party Pack in April 2021.

Developed to help you “liberate the cocktail experience and enjoy an authentic, high-quality cocktail anytime, anywhere,” Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda and the Bayfront Vodka Party Pack – a mixed 8-pack of 12 oz. slim cans – are the two newest, convenient options available in Rogue’s ever-expanding lineup of Sparkling Canned Cocktails. Details on these two new products are as follows (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda

  • Ingredients: Bayfront Vodka, Meyer Lemon, Darjeeling Iced Tea, Sparkling Water, Cane Sugar
  • ABV: 7.5% ABV
  • Taste: Our Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while the lemonade and iced tea bring a refreshing blend of citrus and sweet spice.
  • Availability: Nationwide
  • Packaging: 4-pack 12oz slim cans

Bayfront Vodka Party Pack

  • Details: Four varieties of canned cocktails so everyone can enjoy their favorite cocktail anytime, anywhere.
  • Cocktail Flavors: Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, Grapefruit Vodka Soda, Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda, Ginger Lime Vodka Mule
  • ABV: 7.5% ABV
  • Availability: April
  • Packaging: Eight 12oz slim cans (two cans of four flavors)

“We’re feeling all the spring vibes and are beyond ready to leave our house and enjoy the warm weather with a beverage in hand,” says Steve Garrett, VP of Business Development. “Rogue Spirits Sparkling Craft Cocktails were made for this type of outing. Forget the jigger, the strainer, the muddler and the shaker because we did all the work for you. We mixed quality cocktails and packaged them in a portable can, so you can enjoy your cocktail wherever life takes you.”


“Canned cocktails were a fun next step for our brand,” says Jake Holshue, Rogue Head Distiller. “We use our Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka as the base and added natural ingredients to create bright and flavorful cocktails. What I like about our cocktails is that they make high-quality spirits more accessible and affordable for everyone.”

Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda is officially available now and the Bayfront Vodka Party Pack is slated to release in April 2021. You can expect to find both of these offerings at retailers located in Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

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Rogue Spirits Introduces Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule as Newest Canned Cocktail

Posted on by mashingin

Rogue Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that it will add Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule to its lineup of Sparkling Craft Cocktails in mid-October 2020.

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule (7.5% ABV) is a Sparkling Craft Cocktail that uses Rogue Spirits Whiskey – “a blend of 4 to 6 year old Rogue Whiskey that was distilled and aged at the Rogue Spirits distillery in Newport, Oregon” – as the base spirit “while ginger and lemon provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice.” Like all of Rogue’s Canned Craft Cocktails, Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is “made with Rogue Spirits and 100% natural ingredients, [and offers an] authentic, gluten-free, bar quality recipe in the convenience of a can.”

“Released just in time for the holiday season, our Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is made for those special occasions when you want to spend less time making drinks and more time celebrating with the ones you love,” says Hagen Moore, VP of Marketing & Creative. “Dressed for a holiday party, the shiny copper packaging evokes a feeling of celebration from the outside in. On the palate, the warming ginger and lemon flavor provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice. These are sure to be a welcome addition at any holiday gathering.”

Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is rolling out now and will be available Year-Round alongside Rogue’s other Sparkling Craft Cocktails: Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz, Grapefruit Vodka Soda and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule. You can expect to find Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule available in 4-packs of 12 oz. slim cans at craft spirits-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule from Rogue Spirits

Release – Year-Round; launching October 2020
Style – Canned Sparkling Craft Cocktail
ABV – 7.5%
Ingredients – Rogue Spirits Whiskey, Ginger, Lemon, Simple Syrup & Sparkling Water
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans
Beer/Cocktail Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/

Rogue Ales & Spirits and Iron Chef Morimoto Collaborate on Limited-Edition Single Malt Whiskey

Posted on by mashingin

Rogue Ales & Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that will begin the Limited Release of Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey, a special collaboration project with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, in early August 2020.

Arriving as the latest offering to come out Iron Chef Morimoto’s long-running collaborative relationship with Rogue Ales & Spirits, Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey started life in 2016 as Morimoto Imperial Pilsner and Morimoto Black Obi Ale. Once these beers finished fermenting, the “wash was transferred from the Rogue brewery to the distillery to be distilled and barreled in American Oak barrels . . . [that] rested in Rogue’s Ocean Aging Room where they absorbed the Pacific Ocean air for over two years.” The liquid was then transferred to and finished in “Oregon Oak barrels [that] were built by hand at Rogue’s cooperage, Rolling Thunder Barrel Works, and previously aged Rogue’s award-winning Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout. After 1.5 years of further aging, these Oregon Oak barrels “were masterfully blended and smithed to create a unique, bold and limited American Single Malt Whiskey.” The finished Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey was then packaged in 750ml bottles adorned with “a label that was designed by Chef Morimoto himself.”

This lengthy and meticulous process supplied Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey (42.5% ABV/85 PROOF) with “spicy aromas on the nose with subtle smoke and hints of coffee, chocolate, cocoa and dried fruit” while the flavor profile features a “prominent soba nut flavor [melding] with the distinct dark cocoa, toffee, coffee and vanilla provided from the Imperial Stout and subtle smoke from the Rolling Thunder barrels.”

“It has been an honor to work with Chef Morimoto for nearly 20 years to make unique and interesting beers and spirits,” says Dharma Tamm, Rogue President. “This new single malt whiskey is no exception – the combination of Morimoto Signature Imperial Pilsner and Black Obi, Rolling Thunder barrels and distiller selected proof make this something truly special. It has been a labor of love that we’ve spent years making.”

“My relationship with Rogue Ales & Spirits goes back nearly two decades and is the longest partnership of my career,” said Chef Morimoto.  “The Morimoto-branded beers have been guest favorites in my restaurants around the world, and I’m very excited to introduce this very special single malt whiskey to them this year.”

Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey is rolling out now and will be available only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited-Edition Release available in 750ml bottles at Morimoto restaurants, Rogue pubs and fine liquor retailers located throughout the country. Prost!

Tasting Notes – Spirits Edition: Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz from Rogue Spirits

Posted on by mashingin

RogueCucumberPour2For this special edition of Tastings Notes, we get acquainted with the new line of Sparkling Craft Cocktails from Rogue Spirits (Newport, Oregon) by getting into a can of Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz.

Crafted to “embody the spirit of the DIY ethos of mixology”, Rogue’s new selection of gluten-free Sparkling Craft Cocktails are made “with award-winning Rogue Spirits and 100% natural ingredients.”  Coming in at just 7.5% ABV, each Sparkling Craft Cocktail “delivers a sophisticated, yet refreshing experience with bona fide craft cocktail credentials.”

This new line launched back in August with the following three offerings (descriptions sourced directly from Rogue’s press release):

  • Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz – Inspired by cucumbers grown on Rogue Farms, Rogue Spirits Gin forms the base of this cocktail while the cucumber and lime provide a farm-fresh citrus balance.  ABV – 7.5%
  • Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda – Inspired by the cranberries that grow on the Oregon coast, Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while the cranberry, elderflower and lime add a refreshing tartness.  ABV – 7.5%
  • Ginger Lime Vodka Mule – Inspired by a favorite at the Rogue Pub in Newport, Oregon, Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while ginger and lime provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice.  ABV – 7.5%

All three Sparkling Craft Cocktails listed above are currently available in 4-packs of 12 oz. slim cans at select retailers located in Florida, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Michigan only.  Nationwide availability is scheduled to begin in January 2020.

With all of that background information now out of the way, what do you say we crack open a cold one . . . er, cocktail and get into these Tasting Notes?

Tasting Notes for Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz from Rogue Spirits

Appearance: Poured over ice into a highball glass, this Sparkling Craft Cocktail is a foggy, icy white in color and builds a 1/2 finger of spritzy bubbles that dissipates almost immediately.  Despite its cloudy appearance, you can still see a steady carbonation presence bubbling away within. It basically looks like a mix between a cocktail made with soda or tonic and a hard seltzer.

Aroma:  The aromatics are pretty subtle overall, but you can immediately pick up on an incredibly clean note of fresh cucumber.  Juniper and a mix of nondescript botanicals then surface to hint at the presence of gin.  The profile closes with the soft minerality of quality sparkling water.

Taste: That gin note blooms a bit more here to offer soft tones of juniper, citrus peel, coriander, and various other botanicals, This sets the stage nicely for a refreshing note that can only be described as slices of cucumber dressed with fresh squeezed lime.  Everything wraps up in the finish with a wash of sparkling water.  All of these notes may be light, but they still somehow remain distinct and absolutely present.

Mouthfeel:  Light in body with a bright carbonation presence, this Sparkling Craft Cocktail is wonderfully easy drinking.  None of the flavors are aggressive or dominating on the palate. Everything is just nice and balanced against a backdrop of very clean sparkling water.  The 7.5% ABV is nearly undetectable, further adding to this offering’s high level of refreshment and drinkability.  The aftertaste is just a soft whisper of fresh cucumber.

Final Thoughts:  Just like its appearance, the overall experience provided by Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz falls somewhere between a hand-crafted cocktail and one of those hard seltzers that are so popular right now (yes, we have dabbled in the dark art that is hard seltzer).  With that said, this Sparkling Craft Cocktail quickly sets itself apart from those often-artificial tasting hard seltzers by showcasing nothing but good ole natural ingredients.  The cucumber and lime notes combine with the gentle gin character to create a genuine cocktail experience that reads similarly to a bit of Hendrick’s Gin topped off with a heavy pour of high-end sparkling water.

All in all, Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz has quite a bit going for it:

  • It is filled with fresh and natural flavors and aromas
  • It is ridiculously easy drinking
  • It is wildly refreshing
  • AND it conveniently scratches that cocktail itch with just a pull of the tab on a can

It is a truly unique and delicious offering, and – if you are at all a fan of cucumber and/or gin – we highly recommend that you give it a try whenever Rogue Spirits’ Sparkling Craft Cocktails hit your area.  Prost!

Rogue Spirits Rolls Out New Line of Sparkling Canned Cocktails

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RogueSparklingLineRogue Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that it is entering the ready-to-drink arena with the launch of three Sparkling Craft Cocktails – Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz, Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule – in select markets on August 1.

Crafted to “embody the spirit of the DIY ethos of mixology”, Rogue’s new selection of gluten-free Sparkling Craft Cocktails are made “with award-winning Rogue Spirits and 100% natural ingredients.”  Coming in at just 7.5% ABV, each Sparkling Craft Cocktail “delivers a sophisticated, yet refreshing experience with bona fide craft cocktail credentials.”

This new line will launch with the following three offerings (descriptions sourced directly from Rogue’s press release):

  • Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz – Inspired by cucumbers grown on Rogue Farms, Rogue Spirits Gin forms the base of this cocktail while the cucumber and lime provide a farm-fresh citrus balance.  ABV – 7.5%
  • Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda – Inspired by the cranberries that grow on the Oregon coast, Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while the cranberry, elderflower and lime add a refreshing tartness.  ABV – 7.5%
  • Ginger Lime Vodka Mule – Inspired by a favorite at the Rogue Pub in Newport, Oregon, Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while ginger and lime provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice.  ABV – 7.5%

“As brewers we love the convenience of beer in a can, and as distillers we enjoy the complex flavor profiles of a good mixed drink, launching a line of canned cocktails just felt right. Leaning on our 16 years of distilling experience, we developed three amazing cocktails and put them in a can, so you don’t have to worry about mixing up your favorite drink on the go,” says Rogue President Dharma Tamm. “Made with flavors that rival our freshly made bar equivalents, our sparkling craft cocktails are perfect for summer, whether it be camping, at the beach or in your backyard. They can be enjoyed right out of the can or poured over ice.”

Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz, Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule will all experience an initial launch on August 1 in Florida, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Michigan only and a nationwide release is scheduled to follow in January 2020.  All three Sparkling Craft Cocktails are available in 4-packs of 12 oz. slim cans.  Prost!

RogueSparklingMule

Rogue Spirits Releases Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

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IMG_9744Rogue Ales & Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced the release of its first five-year aged product, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey.

Produced at the only farm-brewery-distillery-cooperage in the United States, Rogue’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey has been “handcrafted from ingredients grown on Rogue Farms in the Willamette and Tygh Valleys, distilled on a 550-gallon still and aged in the air of the Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon.”  After five years of careful aging, this medium to full-bodied Single Malt has picked up “an attractive aroma of floral honey, peach and mango” that slowly transitions to notes of “lush, ripe fruit and brown spice.”

“Ocean aging is where a lot of the magic happens,” says Rogue Distiller Jake Holshue. “The Single Malt Whiskey breathes in the steady, cool, coastal air for five years, which influences its flavor profile, making the spirit truly unique, and proudly rooted in Newport.”

In addition to the release of Oregon Single Malt Whiskey, Rogue Ales & Spirits is also introducing a three-year aged Oregon Rye Malt Whiskey and a two-year aged Dead Guy Whiskey.  All of these offerings are available now as Year-Round offerings packaged in 750ml bottles.  You can expect to find these new whiskeys at select retailers located throughout the United States.  Prost!

Vital Information for Oregon Single Malt Whiskey from Rogue Ales & Spirits

Release – Year-Round, launching February 2018
Style – Single Malt Whiskey
ABV – 40% (80 Proof)
Ingredients – Rogue Farms Risk™ Malt, Free-Range Coastal Water & Rogue’s Proprietary Pacman Yeast
Availability – 750ml bottles 

Rogue Ales & Spirits Set to Release 2017 Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout

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Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works Master Cooper, Nate Linquist, poses with Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout

Rogue Ales & Spirits (Newport, Oregon) recently announced that it will begin the much-anticipated, limited release of its 2017 Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout later this month.

The story behind Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout all begins with the barrel and Nate Linquist, Master Cooper at Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works.  Back in 2015, the folks at Rogue Ales & Spirits got their hands on some “vintage, WWII-era, coopering equipment” and established Rolling Thunder Barrel Works as “the only brewery-distillery-cooperage west of Lynchburg, Tennessee.” With this equipment and a good supply of Oregon Oak, Nate Linquist “assembles, raises, toasts, chars, hoops, cauterizes, sands and brands one barrel a day, all by hand.”  Once assembled, these meticulously crafted barrels go on to hold Dead Guy Whiskey as it matures, and then pull double duty by eventually providing Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout a home as it barrel ages.

Having been “brewed with ingredients grown at Rogue Farms and ocean aged in Dead Guy Whiskey-soaked handmade Oregon Oak barrels coopered at . . . Rolling Thunder Barrel Works”, Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout is a truly special offering because nearly every aspect of this beer has been either handled, influenced, grown, or created by a member of the Rogue family.  This homegrown approach results in a barrel-aged Imperial Stout that “features deep sherry notes accentuated by hints of coconut, cherries, dark fruit and vanilla held up against a dark roasted malt backbone with earthy hops.”  Weighing in at a massive 14% ABV, the 2017 vintage of Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout “is bigger and bolder than the inaugural 2016 release.”

“At first it was a creative challenge,” said General Manager Dharma Tamm, “to see how we could incorporate our brewery, distillery, cooperage and farm into one beer. However, our brewers, distillers, coopers, farmers – and even graphic designers turned it into a quest to create a world class beer that exemplifies the Rogue spirit of challenging the norm and pushing creative boundaries.”

2017 Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout will make its official debut at Rogue public houses starting on Friday, July 21.  This Limited Release offering will then enter distribution on August 1 with availability on draft and in 1-liter swing-top bottles.  Quantities are extremely limited, so keep an eye out for Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Oregon, California, Washington and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution footprint (of course, this excludes Alabama and any other state where Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout would exceed ABV and container size restrictions).  Prost!

Vital Information for Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2017) from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, official release date set for July 21, 2017
Style – American Imperial Stout
ABV – 14%
Malts – Rogue Farms Dare & Risk Malts; Nate’s Smoke, Brown, Kiln Black, Roasted Barley, C40 & C75 Malts; & Oats
Hops – Rogue Farms Liberty & Freedom
Yeast – Pacman Yeast
Added Ingredients – Brown Sugar, Sweet Dark Cherries, Vanilla & Chocolate
Treatment – Ocean aged in Dead Guy Whiskey-soaked handmade Oregon Oak barrels coopered at Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works
Availability – 1-liter swing-top bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/